The spirit of prayer and the awakening (continued)

One day, at Auburn, it was I think the second Sunday that we spent there, I noticed in the assembly the solemn face of Mr. Clary. He seemed overwhelmed under a burden of prayer. Being, as I have already said, quite connected with him and knowing the great spirit of prayer which God had given him, I was very happy to see him there... Between two meetings, as I was coming from the pulpit, Mr. Clary and his brother came to meet me at the foot of the stairs and the doctor invited me to go to his house to spend this moment and have a light snack, which I accepted.

Arrived at home, we were soon called to table. We sat down and Dr. Clary, turning to his brother, said : "Abel, will you ask for the blessing ?". Brother Abel bowed his head and began aloud. He had barely pronounced a sentence or two that he collapsed abruptly, suddenly withdrew from the table and fled to his room. The doctor, thinking that he had suddenly been indisposed, got up and followed him. After a few moments, he came down again and said :

Mr. Finney, my brother Abel wants to see you.

What does he have ?

I do not know, but he says you know it. He seems to be in great affliction, but I think it's his state of mind.

I understood then and went up to his room. He was lying on his bed and groaning : the Spirit interceded for him and in him by inexpressible sighs. I had barely entered the room he managed to say : "Pray, Brother Finney." I knelt down and assisted him in prayer, leading his soul into intercession for the conversion of sinners. I continued to pray until her affliction was appeased, and then I returned to the table.

I realized that was the voice of God. I saw that the spirit of prayer was upon him, felt his influence on me, and was assured that the work would advance powerfully. It was so well. The pastor later told me that during the six weeks I spent there, five hundred souls had been converted.

Jeremy Sourdril